In an interview with The Sunday Times, Brooke Shields shares shocking details about her experience in the documentary film about her life, Pretty Baby – the title that catapulted Brooke Shields to fame and also serves as a source of the emotional scars she has had to endure since her birth in 1965.
Born to actress Teri Shields and businessman Frank Shields, Brooke was exposed to the entertainment industry at a very early age, officially stepping into showbiz at just 11 months old. Before reaching the age of 11, Brooke made her debut in the industry with a role as a child model. With her stunning looks and a body that was “mature” for her age, Brooke was destined to become a “sex symbol.” This trajectory helped Brooke become one of the most prominent female stars of the early 1980s. However, in the documentary introducing her life story, she became emotional reflecting on the time she was “swept into the adult world” too soon.
For a long time, Brooke has spoken out about the intense trauma she endured throughout her childhood. Not only did she not live with her father until she was nearly a teenager, but Brooke’s life was significantly impacted by her mother’s decisions. Teri was the one who suggested her daughter pose for provocative photos for Playboy when Brooke was still under 11 years old. “I don’t know why she thought that was okay. I just don’t know,” the actress told The Sunday Times.
Not only that, but Teri also allowed her daughter to star in Pretty Baby (1978), where Brooke played a child prostitute. The film featured many controversial and explicit scenes. The moment that haunted Brooke the most was having to film a scene where she lay in bed with Keith Carradine (who was 27 at the time), while she was still a minor.
The supermodel recalls feeling uncomfortable with the intimate scenes and being exposed to adult situations. However, she felt her mother didn’t care despite the apparent inappropriate nature of the circumstances.
According to Brooke, even though she wanted to understand, she refrained from questioning her mother’s actions, even as she felt uneasy about what her mother was putting her through.
Later, Teri continued to push Brooke into adult roles and sexual relationships in The Blue Lagoon and Endless Love in 1980. That same year, Brooke also appeared in a controversial advertisement for Calvin Klein jeans.
By the time Brooke turned 16 and was a global star, a family friend had tried to sell intimate photos that had been taken of her when she was just 10 years old. Teri was furious. But prior to the trial, the photographer allegedly withdrew.
Now, looking back at her own childhood being “sexualized,” Brooke has stated that she would never allow her two daughters, Rowan (19) and Grier (16), to see the provocative images or films of herself.
In the documentary Pretty Baby, Brooke Shields also discusses the downside of achieving beauty and fame at such a young age.
She recalls being portrayed by various media outlets as “the beautiful symbol of the ’80s,” “the girl who was desired,” and “the most photographed woman in the world”… She was also featured on the cover of Time magazine as a representative of the ’80s, raising the question: “Who decides what’s appropriate?”
Throughout the long period of being in the spotlight, she felt that her identity was reduced to merely a “pretty face.” Years later, when she regained her confidence, she realized that she could have a voice and opinions of her own.
Brooke’s path to self-confidence took her far from Hollywood as she pursued her education at Princeton University. However, shortly after graduating and returning to the workforce in 1987, she found herself in a wealthy film production house.
During that period, she dated a man who would later become a significant force in her life, discussing various potential projects. Brooke was amazed at how a film producer could be so powerful while she was just a guest in the hotel room, feeling both vulnerable and exposed.
These experiences have been explored in two documentary films set to premiere in early April.
